SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Brown has signed into law a bill, authored by Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) and Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), which will permit the California Department of Social Services (DSS) to share criminal history exemption information of foster care providers with county child welfare agencies.

SACRAMENTO, CA — As students, caregivers and others who seek to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs) but have a disqualifying past criminal conviction wait hopefully, Governor Brown will shortly receive a measure from California’s Legislature to allow consideration of evidence of rehabilitation that could allow them to enter one of California’s most needed health care careers. The Legislature has approved SB 1384, sending the bill, authored by Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), to the Governor, who has until the end of September to decide whether to sign it into law.

Sacramento – As efforts to restrict access to birth control have recently won ground across the nation, both through the courts and state legislatures, Senator Holly J. Mitchell [D-26] of Los Angeles has won the votes in California’s Legislature to send a bill to continue California’s long trend of expanding access to birth control to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown, who has until September 30 to sign it into law or veto it.

SACRAMENTO, CA —A version of measure to equalize penalties for illegal crack and powder cocaine has been approved by both chambers of California’s Legislature. Sentences for intent-to-sell crack convictions range from three to five years in current state law, but for powder only two to four years. Crack convictions in low income and minority communities are more common because crack is cheaper than powder. SB 1010 would eliminate the difference in sentencing, probation and asset forfeiture rules for low level powder and crack cocaine offenses.

Sacramento – A bill co-authored by Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) to put on November’s ballot a water bond measure needed for drought relief has been passed by the Legislature with broad, bipartisan support. If approved by voters, the bond would allocate $7.12 billion toward statewide water supply and management operations, including $10 million for the Baldwin Hills Conservancy in the 26th District.

SACRAMENTO: Legislation that will allow state and county child welfare agencies to share vital information necessary for the safe placement and monitoring of children in foster care earned the unanimous support of the State Assembly during a floor vote today. SB 1136, authored by Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) and Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), will permit the California Department of Social Services (DSS) to share criminal history exemption information of foster care providers with county child welfare agencies.

Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) appreciates the effort of supporters to pass SB 1132 and is proud of the bill's successful journey in raising awareness around public safety, fossil fuels and environmental justice. Although the bill fell short of passage, she is confident that the movement to re-assess fracking, acidization and other oil stimulation methods will continue to grow until the public’s concerns are thoroughly addressed.

SACRAMENTO, CA — A measure to equalize penalties for illegal crack and powder cocaine has been approved by California’s Senate. Sentences for intent-to-sell crack convictions range from three to five years in current state law, but for powder only two to four years. Crack convictions in low income and minority communities are more common because crack is cheaper than powder. SB 1010 would eliminate the difference in sentencing, probation and asset forfeiture rules for low level powder and crack cocaine offenses.